E2TG 9/8/2020 - The Return - Plea Insanity Mix (Two Slugs Remix)

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Well, I am back after the long holiday weekend (Labor Day for those out of the US).  Below, we continue our Featured Friday review - with a double dose - since there was no post yesterday and we still have to finish by Thursday. Plus a shuffle below the jump. 

COVID-19-wise I am struggling. Numbers are looking better locally, but I am concerned about a long-feared second wave - especially if people slack off on precautions - which seems to be happening. Meanwhile, I am coming to terms with the fact that "normal" as I knew it before the pandemic may not exist whenever this thing does end.  Some venues have closed and some friends are moving away (back home). Meanwhile, a lot of people are "getting back to normal"... but I am not able to visit my mother in her independent living facility, but as long as everyone can party and hold mass gatherings on Broadway, I guess every thing is okay... *sarcasm*.  

I am struggling to find peace and direction and meaning, and for that I am relying - as I tend to do on music. 

With the holiday, we need to get back on schedule - so we will cover songs 9-18 today! There are some fantastic songs in this segment of the playlist. Check it out!

9. "I Love You (Don't Laugh)" by Andre Salvador and the Von Kings

Next up, we have a track from the self-titled album by the Brooklyn based indie rock combo led by Tim Cheplick. Really digging this album so far. Check it out. 

10. "Me and These Jeans" by Becky Warren

New music from Nashville singer-songwriter Becky Warren is a reason to celebrate. The military veteran's breakout 2016 debut War Surplus lead to a stint opening for The Indigo Girls. She followed up with Undesirable in 2018.  This is the first taste from her new album The Sick Season which is available for pre-order now. 

11. "Heavy Load" by Great Peacock

Next up, we have another single from the forthcoming Forever Worse Better (October 9) by one of Nashville finest bands. 

12. "Shine Like a Friend" by John Calvin Abney

Tulsa singer-songwriter John Calvin Abney may be known to some for backing John Moreland, but don't sleep on his incredible songwriting. This is the first taste from his forthcoming Familiar Ground album which is due out November 20. 

13. "Nyack" by Annie Dressner

Next up, we have a track from the brand new album by UK-based, NYC raised singer-songwriter Annie Dressner. The album, Coffee at the Corner Bar, is excellent. She has a large following in the UK, and I am happy to have this song in my weekly playlist. Check her out. 

14. "Stitch in Time Saves Nine" by Parker Lee

We previously featured the track "Drunk" by this band from North Yorkshire.  Now their EP Scrundle is out, and we another track from that release. Great stuff.  

15. "Big Big Bad Bad John" by Rob Clarke and the Wooltones

Next up, we have a track from this band from Liverpool. The album is called Putting the L Back in Wooltones. It is out on the Kool Kat label. I am hearing some wonderful Brit-pop sounds here -with a little psych. Really enjoying this. 

16. "Love After Midnight" by Jonathan Plevyak

Next up, we have the new single from Nashville based pop-rock singer-songwriter Jonathan Plevyak. The Baltimore native evokes nostalgic memories of summers past in this cool song. 

17. "Frantic Mind" by The Star Prairie Project

Next up, we have a new single from the mind of Nolen R. Chew Jr. - who hails from Star Prairie, Wisconsin and who works with producers and musicians from LA to London.  Really digging this track. 

18. "Happening Now" by Social Gravy

We close out this long segment of music with a track from this Los Angeles based alt-rock duo. The duo features Belarusian musician Vee Borduokov and British producer and songwriter Brad Kohn.  A nice way to close out this segment of music. 

Tomorrow songs 19-22

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/5/2020 - After the Storm - Dead (Live) Mix (Tropical Drone Pop Remix)

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Middle Tennessee is still reeling from Tuesday Morning's Tornado touchdowns. This is not a situation that will be resolved quickly, and for some the scars will be permanent. But, we are moving forward and people are coming together.

Something that hit me yesterday.  The place where I grew up and the place where I spend most of my time these days were both hit hard by the storm.  These communities are geographically less than 80 miles apart, but at least to my eyes, they can seem light years away. In terms of how and what people believe, how they vote, their interests... BUT, what I have seen over the last couple of days are images from both communities of people coming together to help their neighbors. 

Who is my neighbor?  Not to get theological, but when Jesus as asked that question, he answered by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. As I understand it, the meaning of the parable is that everyone of - even those who I have been taught to despise are my neighbors.

We live in trouble times - we are conditions to feel animosity toward those on "the other side".  Neve mind that the idea of binary choices is fundamentally wrong - the fact remains - when something happens like these tornadoes - and someone shows up to help you, all those differences that separate us - melt away - at least for a time. You don't care who that man with the chainsaw - removing fallen trees voted for. You don't care how that woman clearing the debris feels about (fill in the blank with a divisive issue of your choice).

I know - at some point, we will go back to choosing sides and arguing on Facebook - goodness knows the next eight months will be particularly rancorous - but I wish/hope that we can at least hold on to a fragment of a memory of the unity we feel now.

Be good to each other. At least just for today.

 How to help:

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Gideon's Army (Coordinating Donations and Support on the North side)

Go Fund Me for Service Industry Workers in East Nashville

Volunteer with Hands on Nashville

Community Resource Center for Donations of Items 

Check out wxnafm.org for a list of resources

    Featured Friday Playlist
Almost time for an updated list!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Missing in America Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is underway - Next Show TONIGHT!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo (Album Release Show)  
(SUCCESS!)

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie (TONIGHT!!!!!!)

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb


If you are able, please come to The 5 Spot tonight.  We have a great show lined up with Jason Erie and The Truehearts.  Both have killer bands lined up made up of some of our favorite musicians including some past and future E2TG Residency participants.   Doors will open around 5:30pm and Music will go from just after 6 until 8:15 or 8:30.

I had another great night at $2 Tuesday - Adrian + Meredith played a bunch of new songs that sounded fantastic.  The night started with a honest to goodness FOLK singer from Arkansas names Willi Carlisle. I found myself laughing and smiling throughout his set. All the other artists were great, and of course Derek Hoke made it all worth the price of admission..


We have an honest to goodness Wild Wednesday shuffle - let's get to it!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Summer Wine Mix

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Whew!  It's the end of another week.  I am still struggling with not feeling great, and I ready for the up and down temperatures to give us a break for at least a few days.

Next week, I am going to jump headlong into promoting the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV - which will be happening April 26 and 27 at The 5 Spot.  There are all sorts of sponsors, a silent auction, and other cool stuff. The shows are a benefit for the Ben Eyestone Fund at Musician's Health Alliance. The music is jam packed with great bands - including many E2TG Favorites. I am super stoked to a part of this year's "Hoedown".  Make your plans now!

Now, let's get right to the Featured Friday shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Self Love Mix

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Well, I'm back. I was under the weather yesterday.  Let's get right to the shuffle. I'm once again behind adding new music to the playlist, but we have some great music to feature from what is already there - so let's go!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Sing It Out Loud Mix

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ICYMI - E2TG premiered the first song released from Josh Gray's forthcoming Songs of the Highway album - this morning.   HERE is that post.

Now it is Friday. Remember I will be off next week - so no regular posts, however, keep your eyes and ears out for a special Video Premiere that I am really excited about.

Let's get right to the shuffle - my time is a little short today.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - They Say Mix

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Uggg!  A winter cold hit me hard yesterday afternoon, and I went down hill fast. I ended up staying in last night to rest up, and I feel a little better today but still kind of icky. Plus, it is a cold, wet, and dreary day in Nashville.  So, I needed an extra good shuffle of music to get me through the commute.  It is Friday, which we usually devote to Featured Friday.  As I mentioned before, when I transferred music to my new phone, I lost my previous playlists.  I haven't created a new Featured Friday playlist - still contemplating what that will look like. Anyway, since we missed Trending Tuesday this week, I am digging back into our Trending playlist of the newest of the new music we have to present.

Here goes!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - She's the Bomb Mix

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We actually got some sunshine this morning.  It didn't really last long, but it was glorious. A couple of rainy days on the horizon.

Here we go!  It's Thursday.  Let's see what is trending on E2TG!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - One Setback at a Time

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I'm back. I had a training away from my office which made it impossible to get the shuffle posted yesterday.  So, we are back with our Trending Thursday. 

We have our usual mixed bag of music and mayhem.  Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - True or Not Mix

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I know some people may get tired of me saying this... and I freely admit, Nashville is the only music town I know really well... and I know there are extraordinary music makers all over the world...however, I continue to be blown away by the depth and breadth of the musicians and music here in the Music City.

Last night, I arrived at The 5 Spot at 6pm and left a little after midnight.  During that time, I saw five different bands.  Jim Hoke - who I think is the most inventive and creative minds around - highlighted songs from his new album backed by an incredible collection of musicians, singers, and guests. Interspersed throughout the good sized crowd, was a veritable who's who of Nashville songwriting and musician greats.  Jim Hoke is the mastermind behind the visionary group Aqua Velvet and he is also a multi-instrumentalist who backs many other talented folks.

The late show - featured four bands. Lakehouse Boys went on first, I was very impressed by their pop-oriented sound and on-stage humor. The band features one of the regular sound men from The 5 Spot as wells as a member of the band Boy Named Banjo.  Born Animals was next. Despite some technical problems that shortened their set time, I really liked their high energy punkish sound.   Timothy George aka The Singing Butcher was next - backed by an amazing band. George is one of my favorite songwriters in town, and it has been a little while since I have seen him with a full band.  E2TG Band of the Year, The Big Dumb, closed the night with a typically manic/amazing set of songs. I have already said a lot about them this week, so suffice it to say, I was not in the least bit disappointed by last nights show.

Now, it is time to dig back into our newish "Trending Playlist" - some of the more recent additions to the E2TG playlist. Let's do it!